Brick-machine



(No Model.) q 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. A. THOMPSON.

BRICK MAGHINE.

.No. 564,263 Patented July-2L 1 896.

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m 3 mg Q aw hQ m: mums PETERS co wovoumu. WASHI (No Model.) 3Sheets-Sheet 2. ,J A. THOMPSON.

BRICK MACHINE.

No. 564,263. Patenteg ul 'zl,1896;

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(No Model.) Sheets-Sheet 3. J; THOMPSON. BRIUK MACHINE Patntd July 21,1896.

' bcssci UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE.

JOSEPH A. THOMPSON, OF ROCKMART, GEORGIA.

BRICK-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 564,263, dated July 21,1896.

Application filed January 31, 1895. Serial No. 536,851- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, JOSEPH A. THOMPSON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Rockmart, in the county of Polk and State of Georgia, haveinvented a new and useful Brick-Machine, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to a brick-machine of that class wherein arevolving mold-wheel is the essential feature, said wheel being providedwith peripheral mold-cavities in which the clay is pressed, and wherebythe brick is formed. It is essential to these mold-wheels that means beprovided whereby to expel the bricks, and the preferred type ofexpelling mechanism consists of a series of radiallymovable plunger-scapable of stroking through the respective mold-cavities, and therebyexpelling the brick.

My invention has these general features, and its principal object is toimprove the construction of the mold-wheel, so as to make it capable ofeffectually forming the bricks and more regularly and uniformlyexpellingthem.

A second object is to combine withthe mold-wheel, or, in other words, toembody in the machine a mixing device, so that the clay may be mixed andtransmitted directly to p the mold-wheel. l contemplate an improvedstructure in the mixing apparatus by which the efficacy thereof isincreased.

A further object is to provide means by which the delivery of the formedbricks will be more complete and efficient, and whereby they may bedeposited upon suitable planks or plates and carried to the place ofdrying without being removed, so that it will be possible to form anddry the bricks without necessitating the handling of them, exceptindirectly through the-medium of the planks or plates aforesaid.-Finally, I contemplate improving the general structure and subordinatefeatures of the machine, so as to increase its general efficiency, andso as to make it more desirable from a commercial standpoint.

NVith these objects in view my invention lies in certain peculiarfeatures of construction and combinations of parts whereby I am enabledto fully attain the objects of my i11- vention, as stated above.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a brick-machinein which the essentialities of my invention are embodied; Fig. 2, atransverse and vertical section thereof; Fig. 3, a longitudinal andvertical section thereof; Fig. 4, a plan view, Fig. 5, a verticalsection taken through the moldwheel and extending to the parts inhorizontal alinement therewith; Fig. 6, a detail perspective of thedevices for pressing the clay into the wheel and for scraping theperiphery thereof, so as to rid it of superfluous clay; Fig. 7, a detailsection taken longitudinally through the device for distributing sandthroughout the periphery of the mold-wheel Fig. 8, a sectionalperspective view of a detail.

The frame of my machine comprises the transverse end base-beams 1, tothe upper ends of which the longitudinal side basebeams 2 are mortised.These beams l and 2 areadapted to lie upon the surface of the ground andhave the mixing-chamber 3 mounted upon them and extending verticallytherefrom. This chamber is approximately square in cross-section, andhas rigidly secured to each of its corners a leg 4, which extendsdownwardly to the side beams 2, and to which beams the said legs arerigidly secured. The upper'end of the chamber 3 is left open, while thebottom is closed by'a floor'5, said floor having formed therein anopening 6, which occupies a large portion thereof and which is providedfor the exit of the clay, as will be better described hereinafter.

7 indicates four braces or guide-beams, which are rigidly secured one toeach corner of the rectangular figure described by the beams 1 and 2,and which extend upwardly and inwardly to a point above the upper end ofthe mixing-chamber 3, where they are rigidly secured to the longitudinalcross-beam S. The braces '7 engage the sides of the mixing chamber attheir upper extremities and are.

cross-beam S has for its purpose, principally, to furnish a bearing forthe upper end of the mixing-shaft, though it collaterally aids inlending strength to the braces or guides 7, as will be obvious.

The mixing-shaft is desig nated by the numeral 9, and is provided at itsupper end with a reduced spindle 10, which is passed throughavertically-extending opening formed midway the beam 8, and whereby themixing-shaft has the bearing referred to hereinbefore.

The spindle 10 projects above the crossbeam 8, and is there providedwith a drivepulley 11, which is adapted for primarily receiving thepower which gives motion to the machine. This pulley is not necessarilyof the form here shown and may be substituted by other suitable means,which substitution will perhaps prove necessaryin the practicaloperation of my invention. It will be understood, however, that this isa matter of mere mechanical skill.

Fixed to the spindle 10, at a point below the pulley 11, is the beveledgear 12,which meshes with a similar gear 13, fixed to the inner end ofthe shaft 14. The shaft 14 is, in turn, rotatably mounted in the boxes15, fixed to the cross-beam S. The other end of the shaft 14 is providedwith a pulley 16, over which the carrier 17 operates. This pulley 16 andthe carrier operating therewith may be of any suitable construction, itbeing essential that the same be capable of elevating the unmixed clayto the upper end of the mixing-chamber and of dumping the samethereinto. To this end the standard-like frame 18 is provided andmounted upon the ground, so as to project upwardly, it being provided atits upper end with an idler-pulley 19, whereby the proper tension in thecarrier is maintained, while the lower end of the carrier operates overa pulley 20, having bearings in suitable boxes mounted directly upon theground.

The shaft 9 is very much increased in thickness and has at its lower enda reduced portion or spindle 21, very similar to the spindle 10 andprojecting through an opening in the floor 0 of the mixing-chamber, saidopening forming a bearing for the shaft proper, while the spindle 21projects below the opening and operates at said point, as will bedescribed in the logical order of this specification. Fixed to the shaft9, at points throughout that portion of its length which is within themixingchamber, are the mixing-blades 22, which are of no fixed number,and which are arranged spirally on the shaft,and with a diagonaledgewise disposition, so that they will exert upon the clay an influencesimilar to the influence exerted by the well-known propeller and kindredmechanical appliances. These blades gradually increase in width as theyextend downwardly, so that the blades at the upper portion of the shaft9 will be the narrowest, while the blades at the lower portion are thewidest. The before-described disposition of the blades 22 and the rotarycharacter of the the shaft 9 is such as will make the apparatus capableof exerting a compound influence on the clay. That is, the clay will bethoroughly pulverized, and at the same time will be forced downwardlyand packed in the lower portion of the mixing-chamber.

Fixed within the mixing-chamber, and arranged one in each cornerthereof, are the plates 23, which are four in number and which havetheir edges beveled, so as to be capable of fitting within therespective corners of the mixing-chamber and of destroying theabruptly-angular character of the mixingchamber; or, in other words, ofpreventing the clay from becoming fixed within the corners of themixing-chamber, which is a disadvantage thoroughly appreciated. Theseplates 22 extend from the lower end of the mixing-chamber upwardly to apoint very near the upper end thereof.

Fixed to the upper portions of the plates are the rigid andinwardly-projecting pins 24, which are preferably three for each plate,making a total of twelve, and which are adapted to cooperate with theblades 22 and assist in the operation of completely pulverizing theclods of clay, all of which is essential to the effective operation of abrick-machine.

25 indicates a water barrel or tank, which may be of any construction orcapacity consistent with reason, an d which has, at its lower portion,an outlet-pipe 26, extending downwardly and thence inwardly through anopenin g in the side of the mixing-chamber. 27 indicates a secondoutlet-pipe,which is arranged to direct its stream downwardly and whichis provided with a faucet whereby it is commanded. The water barrel ortank is supported by means of the bracket-braces 28, which projectoutwardly and upwardly from the lower portion of the mixing-chamber, andwhich support a platform or equivalent structure upon which the barrelis seated.

Rigidly secured to the transverse end basebeams 1, and extendinglongitudinally with the machine and parallel with each other, are thewalls 29, which are two in number and which project downwardly andperpendicularly from the beams 1 into a ditch formed in the ground, theybeing provided at their lower sides with a bottom 30. These walls 29 andtheir bottom 30 are provided to prevent the caving in of the sides ofthe ditch and to make the same uniform and durable. The ditch extendsbeyond the walls 29; but, if so desired, these walls may be made toproject the whole length of the ditch. The ditch will be furtherdescribed hereinafter in connection with other parts of my invention.

31 indicates the shaft or. axis of the moldwheel, and this, like theshaft 9, comprises an enlarged main portion having at its ends thereduced spindle-like portions 32. These latter portions 32 extendtransversely, as the shaft proper, and belowthe longitudinal basebeams2, to which they are rotatably connected by means of boxes 33, fixed tothe under sides of the beams. The mold-wheel comprises initsconstruction the spokes 34, which are of a massive form, and which arethe shaft 31, and disposed radially, are the arranged in 'two sets, eachset being circumferentiall y alined and arranged parallel with eachother, their outer ends being respectively connected to the rims 35. Therims 35 are one for each set of spokes 34. The rims 35 have rigidlyriveted or otherwise secured to their peripheries the heavy metallicplates 36, which are arranged equidistant from each other, and so as toleave spaces between them, which are also of equal size. These spacesform the mold-cavities or molds proper hereinbefore referred to, and areprovided with the plates 37, which are also formed of heavy sheet metal,and which have their outer edges formed with flanges 38, which extendlaterally and which are riveted or otherwise secured to the rims 35 andto the metallic plates 36, according to the location of the plates 37.

From the outer ends of the plates 37 the same extend radially andinwardly, and are rigidly secured to the inner sides of the rims 35 andto their contiguous edges, so as to form radially-extending chambers,open at each end, and these chambers compose the mold-cavities of myinvention. Formed in sockets 39, which are arranged at different pointsthroughout the length of the shaft, and which have located therein therods 40, said rods being arranged to be capable of free longitudinalmovement in their places. The outer ends of the rods 40 project beyondthe shaft 31, and each outer end is provided with a plunger-bar 41, thusmaking the aggregate number of plunger-bars eight, such being theaggregate number of the mold-cavities, and it is into these cavitiesthat the outer ends of the plunger-bars 41 respectively project, so asto be capable of reciprocating therein. Fixed to the outer ends of theplunger-bars 41, and one for each bar, are the plates 42, which are madeto be capable of movement in the mold-cavities, but to snugly engage thesides thereof, and this engagement is necessarily snug enough to preventthe passage of the plastic clay, even when under the highest pressure towhich it is subjected during the operation of my machine.

Rigidly secured to one side of the moldwheel, and concentric with theperiphery thereof, is the band of metal 43, which has lying flushagainst its outer side a second band similar to it in form anddesignated by the numeral 44.

45 indicates eight connecting-rods, which are arranged within the spaceinclosed by the mold-wheel, and which extend parallel with the shaft 31,their outer ends being bent transversely and passed through openings inthe band 43, the bent ends being arranged between the bands 43 and 44.The rods have at their middles the bends 46, which pass through openingsin the respective bars 41, whereby the rods and bars are connected toeach other. Thus it will be seen that the bars 41 are held at a normalposition, which will place the plates 42 a distance below the outer endsof the mold-cavities, which will make the outer portions of the samecapable of receiving an amount of plastic clay sufficient to form thebricks, or, in other words, will make the outer portions of the molds ofa size equal to that of the bricks.

47 indicates a bar or beam which is rigidly secured to the legs 4 at oneside of the machine, and which extends longitudinally andv horizontally.Fixed to this beam 47, and at the middle thereof, is a stub-shaft 48,which projects inwardly from the beam and is rigidly secured in place.Rotatably mounted upon the stub-shaft 48 is an upper wheel 49, which isarranged with its periphery at its lower side projected downwardly to apoint within the path of the free ends of the connectingrods 45, so thatas the mold-wheel revolves these free ends will be successively engagedwith the wheel 49 and operate as a cam and push them inwardly toward theaxis of the mold-wheel. This operation will cause the plunger-bar 41,with which that rod 45 which engages wheel 49 is connected, to bereciprocated. Thus the plunger-bar at the'upper side of the mold-wheelis moved downwardly, which enlarges the mold-cavity with which said baroperates, and permits it to receive a quantity of clay, whereby thebrick is formed. As the wheel continues its revolution the rod 45 willbe disengaged from wheel 49, thus causing the plate 42 of theplunger-bar referred to to move outwardly in the moldcavity, so as todecrease the size of the same, which will compress the clay as isnecessary to the forming of thebrick and as will be more fully describedhereinafter.

Simultaneously with this operation the lower plunger-bar 41 will bereciprocated downwardly by a lower Wheel 49, so that the plate 42 willmove to the very extremity of the mold-cavity in which it operates. Thisoperation will result in the delivery of the brick in its completedstate. Means are provided for receiving the said completed brick and forcarryingit away, all of which will be described hereinafter. The lowercam-wheel 49, which causes the mold-cavities to have their contentsdischarged, is mounted on a suitable stub shaft or journal.

The opening 6 in the floor 5 of the mixingchamber extends to one side ofthe same, and is provided at said side with a plate 50. This plate isformed of sheet metal, and comprises a mainportion of a width equal tothe width of the mold-wheel and having a vertical extent which will makeit capable of inclosing the space between the bottom of themixingchamber and that point on the periphery of mold-wheel which isdirectly below the outer end of the opening 6. The ends of the mainportion of the plates 50 have formed integral therewith the reducedportions or arms 51. These arms 51 are triangular in shape, whereby theyare made capable of occupying and of closing the space which is leftbetween the main portion of the plate and the periphery of themold-wheel inward from said plate. Thus it will be seen that the plate50 and its reduced portions or arms 51 form the sides of adownwardly-extending subchamber, which has for its bottom the adjacentperiphery of the mold-wheel, and which has an open upper endcommunicating with the mixing-chamber proper. The extremities of thearms 51 are perforated transversely and provided with the pins 52, whichthrough them and into the floor of the mixing-chamber, whereby the plate50 is mounted so that its main portion will be capable of swinging inthe arc of a circle and toward and from the periphery of the mold-wheel.To facilitate this movement of the plate 50, the adjacent side of themixing-chamber is formed with two slots 52 therein, which are arrangedso that they may respectively receive the arms 51 of the plate 50 andpermit the upward movement thereof.

Rigidly secured to the center of the main plate 50, and projecting outhorizontally and longitudinally therefrom is the arm 53, which isserrated or rateheted throughout its length and which has the weight 54:adjustable thereon. By these means the plate 50 is given a tendencydownward and caused to firm] y yet yieldingly engage the periphery ofthe mold-wheel. By these means a surface is formed against which. theclay may be pressed in forming the bricks, as it will do when theseveral plunger-bars 41 resume their normal posit-ions after having beenmoved inwardly by contact indirectly with the wheel 49.

Secured to one of the base-beams 1, and adjacent to the plate 50, is theshort longitudinally-extending beam 55, which has rotatably mountedtherein one spindle or trunnion of the rock-bar 56. This bar 56 extendstransversely and parallel with the beam 1, and has its remainingtrunnion journaled in an opening in one of the beams 2. Fixed to the bar56, and extending longitudinally thereon, is the scraper-plate 57 ,whichextends throughout the length of the bar 56, and which is arranged withits edge in engagement with the periphery of the mold-wheel. Thisengagement is made forcibly, though yielding, by means of the arm 58,which is fixed to the bar 56, and which projects inwardly and slightlyupwardly therefrom. 59 indicates a weight adjustably mounted 011 the arm58, whereby the rock-bar 56 is given a normal tendency, which will causethe scraper-plate 57 to continually engage the periphery of themold-wheel.

60 indicates a trough which has one end rigidly secured to thatbase-bea1n 2 which has the rock-bar 50 j ournaled therein, and which hasits remaining end secured to the wall 29, which is opposite said beam 2.This arrangement gives the trough 60 an incline, and the said trough islocated directly beneath the outer edge of the scraper-plate 57, so thatthe matter scraped by said plate will drop therefrom and into the trough60, down which it will gravitate to the lower end thereof, whereupon itis delivered outside of the walls 29.

Mounted upon the beam 1, which is opposite the beam carrying thescraper-blade 57, is the sand-box 61, which is arranged opposite theperiphery of the mold-wheel, and which is of a length equal to the widthof said periphery. This box is provided with a swinging lid 62, wherebyits top may be closed and opened to permit the entry of sand or whatevermaterial may be used in the box. 63 indicates an opening in the box 61,which is never closed, and which is located on the inner side thereofand at the upper portion of said side. This opening is provided topermit the exit of the sand in box 61, and so that it will be throwndirectly upon the periphery of the mold-wheel. Extending transverselythrough the center of the box 61, and journaled in the sides thereof, isthe shaft 64, which carries a number of blades 65. These blades are verynumerous and are arranged closely together, they being mar row, so as tobe capable of revolving with the shaft 61 and of throwing the sandthrough the opening 63 in the box 61. One end of shaft 64 is extendedbeyond the box 61 and provided with a pulley 66, over which a belt 67operates, and this belt proceeds inwardly to a pulley 68, fixed upon theshaft 31 of the mold-wheel. By these means the mot-ion of the shaft 31is transmitted to the shaft 64-, and it is preferred that the pulley 68be much larger than the pulley 66, so that the motion will be multipliedin its transmission. The said box 61 may contain sand, oil, or water, orindeed any substance which will be capable of preventing the clay fromsticking to the periphery of the mold-wheel and to the sides of thecavities.

The lower spindle 21 of the mixing-shaft 9, being that which is extendedthrough and below the floor of the mixing-chamber, is provided at itslower extremity with a beveled pinion-gear 69, which meshes with acorresponding cog-rim 70, fixed to the inner side of the mold-wheel. Bythese means the motion of shaft 9 is transmitted to the moldwheel andthe same operated.

Located within the ditch, or between the walls 29 and at the bottomthereof, are the rollers 71, which are revolubly mounted in place, andwhich form a carr er for the completed bricks. These rollers areprovided with sprocket-wheels 72, over which a chain 73 operates, and itis by these means that the rollers are made to revolve. The roller whichis located directly beneath the mold-wheel is provided at one end with aseries of radial arms 74:, which mesh with a co responding series ofstuds 75, projecting out transversely from the adjacent side of themold-wheel. Thus as the mold-wheel revolves the arms 7 4E and 75 willmesh with each other and cause the rollers 71 to be revolved, thussetfing the carrier into operation.

7 6 indicates a series of planks or boards,

which are of a width equalto considerably less than the width of theditch, and which may be of any length desired. It is preferred, however,that they be not longer than the distance between the two transversebeams 1. These boards are successively placed on the rollers 71 andadvanced along the same by means of the revolutions of said rollers.Thus the planks are moved step by step, so as to make it possible forthe bricks to be deposited thereon in regular lines.

It will be understood that the movement of the rollers 71, andconsequently the planks that may be placed thereon, is not a continuousone, but that it is a regular step-bystep movement, calculated to causethe planks 67 to rest during the deposit of the brick thereon, and tomove so as to make room for a second brick during the advancement of thenext mold-cavity.

The planks or boards 7 6 are carried along the ditch until they reachthe skids 7 7 These skids consist of a series of transverse beamsprovided with smooth upper surfaces which are to be lubricated inpractice. These beams are located directly adjacent to the carrier orthe rollers 71, and as one of the boards or planks 76 reaches the saidskids they are to be moved off of the rolls and upon the beams of theskids. 7 Owing to the lubricated upper surfaces of these beams theplanks or boards may be slid along the same and arranged in regularseries thereon, so as to be dried by the action of the sun. Thus it'willbe seen that by means of 'my invention the bricks are not touched untilthey are thoroughly dry, and that the complete operation of forming themis carried on without having to touch them. It will be understood thatthe planks are to be placed upon the rollers 71 at the side of themachine opposite the side having the skids and allowed to be advancedalong the same, as has been explained.

In the use of my improved brick-machine the clay is placed upon thecarrier 17 in its dry state and carried up and emptied into themixing-chamber 3. Here it is subjected to the action of therapidly-revolving blades 22 and pins 24, which latter devices are rigidwith the mixing-chamber, and whereby the clods are effectively crushed.As the clay gravitates down to about the middle of the mixing-chamberthe water from the barrel 25 comes in contact therewith and combineswith it to form the mud essential to the manufacture of the brick.During this operation the blades 22act on the clay to force itdownwardly and to pack it into the bottom of the mixing chamber, so thatit will be forced into the mold-cavities.

The mold-wheel is revolving continuously during this operation, and asthe clay is mixed to the proper consistency it will be forced into themold-cavities and formed into the bricks, as has been explainedhereinbefore,

and by means of the action of the plunger-bars 41 and cam-wheel 49. Thecompleted bricks are, as has been before explained, deposited upon theplanks 76 and carried away to the skids to be dried by the action of thesun, or, if desired, in the usual kiln. My invention is especiallyadapted, however, for drying bricks by means of the sun and somevariation in the delivery or carrier mechanism Will be necessary toadapt it for use in connection with kilns.

By means of my invention a more regular and compact brick is produced,and it is made possible to operate the machine by the use of less powerthan ordinarily. It will also be observed that but little labor isrequired to be employed, all of which adds greatly to the efficiency anddesirability of the invention.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details ofconstruction may be resorted to without departing from the principle orsacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having described the invention, I claim 1. In a brick-machine, thecombination with means for feeding the plastic clay, of a mold- Wheelhaving a series of radially-disposcd mold-cavities, a radially-extendingplungerbar operatingin each, a series of rods mounted on the axle of themoldwheel and connected to the plunger-bars, a plate secured to one sideof the mold-wheel, a series of rods fixed to said plate and connected tothe plungerbars and passed transversely to the opposite side of thewheel, the upper and lower camwheels engaged by the free ends of saidrods, and means for operating the mold-wheel, substantially asdescribed.

2. In a brick-machine,the combination with means for feeding plasticclay, of a moldwheel having. a series of radially-disposedmold-cavities, a series of radially-extending plunger-bars operating inthe cavities, a series of rods mounted on the axle of the mold-wheel andconnected with the plunger-bars, a plate secured to one side of themold-wheel, a series of rods fixed to the said plate and connected tothe plunger-bars and extending transversely to the opposite side of thewheel, and devices for engaging the said rods to depress theplunger-bars, substantially as described.

3. In abrick-machine, the combination of a mold-wheel havingradially-disposed moldcavities, a series of plunger-bars operating inthe cavities, a series of rods fixed to the wheel at one side thereofand connected with the plunger-bars and extending transversely to theopposite side of the wheel, and upper and lower cam-Wheels engaging thefree ends of the rods, substantially as described.

4. In a brick-machine, the combination of a mold-wheel, means forfeeding the plastic clay thereto, a box located adjacent to theperiphery of the mold wheel and having an opening arranged adjacent tothe said periphery of the mold-wheel, a horizontal shaft revolublymounted Within the box and located below the opening, blades rigidlymounted on the shaft and operating to throw the contents of the box uponthe periphery of the mold-Wheel, means for connecting the shaft With theaxle of the mold-Wheel, and means for revolving the mold-wheelsubstantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own Ihave hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

JOSEPH A. THOMPSON.

Witnesses:

CHARLES EDWARDS, W. E. I-IEss.

